Grace in the Mundane

This morning as I was running I listened to an interview with an author who did most of her research in Paris. The bulk of the medical archives she needed were located there, so she lived in Paris for months at a time while she was working. My brain stopped listening to the podcast and started imagining what it would be like to live in Paris. I had visions of buying fresh crusty bread at the neighborhood boulangerie, lingering over a glass of wine as the stars sparkled on the Seine, and walking halls that echoed with the voices of a rich history. It sounded like a lovely and magical life. A little voice whispered, “but you have that, too.” Me? With my mundane life? I stopped running. Lovely and magical? Yes. Of course.

 I looked up. The evergreens lean over our rural street like a tunnel of emerald. Bright red berries cling to stark brown branches by the side of the road, calling my eyes like a beacon. This morning I woke up to my husband’s kiss as he left for work. I read my Bible to the light of hundreds of little sparkling colored lights on our Christmas tree. The steam from my mug of pumpkin coffee tickles my nose as I click away at the keyboard. Lovely. Magical. More than that … grace.

 Little pinpoints of grace, like thousands of stars, rain down into every moment of our lives. Scattered broadly and thickly, hardly noticed most times, but real all the same. A hug from a friend, an email at just the right time, a slice of chocolate cake, quiet rainy days, down comforters and fuzzy slippers, unexpected providence,  a song that keeps playing at top volume inside one’s head, a doggy kiss on the cheek … grace, grace, grace.

What can one say in response to such lavish gifts? One thing only. Oh, thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)